A rare congenital condition called athelia is the cause of breasts that develop without nipples.
Understanding Athelia
Athelia is characterized by the absence of the nipple and the areola (the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple) on one or both breasts. It's a condition that babies are born with, meaning it's not something that develops later in life.
Key Aspects of Athelia:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Type | Congenital (present at birth) |
| Primary Defect | Missing nipple and areola |
| Affected Area | Can be unilateral (one breast) or bilateral (both breasts) |
| Breast Development | Breast tissue itself might be present but lacks the nipple and areola. |
- Congenital Origin: Athelia occurs during fetal development, meaning it's present from birth.
- Unilateral or Bilateral: This means that it may affect one breast or both breasts.
- Rare: Athelia is a rare condition.
Additional Information:
While the reference mentions atheila as the cause of missing nipples, it's important to note that:
- This condition primarily affects the external features of the breast related to the nipple and areola, and is not related to breast tissue growth.
- Further medical evaluation might be needed to understand if other related conditions or syndromes are involved.
